Though most of us won’t understand a word of it,  what’s happening in the video below is fully understood.  Enjoy the chuckle we think you probably need in this confusing, concerning time of COVID:

Isn’t it remarkable that those of us who show dogs know exactly what’s being asked of these “exhibitors,” and what the “judge” is looking for?  And if you do show dogs, are you surprised by how much you miss them during a pandemic that has canceled these events, or are you surprised by how much you needed a break from them?

Whatever your answer, there is another aspect to dog shows that one doesn’t hear much about as we all try to figure out how to recover economically from the impact of a pandemic. While it’s understandable that most attention is given to the airline industry, small businesses, restaurants, etc., dog shows and their impact on an economy never get mentioned at all because it’s a niche market that doesn’t make or break the S & P stock market index. That said, consider this:

The AKC alone licenses and sanctions more than 22,000 dog shows, agility, obedience trials, performance events, and more across the country every year.

People who host and/or attend these events make use of local businesses like hotels, restaurants, food trucks, supply stores, facility and equipment rentals, printers, awards companies (to make those ribbons and rosettes), security services, photographers, scissors sharpeners, massage therapists for humans and dogs, advertising, veterinarians, trophies, and transportation.

Surveys demonstrate that on average, exhibitors at AKC dog shows spend around $685 over a show weekend. People who travel over 100 miles to get to the show spend even more. Do the math, and this means that spending by AKC dog show exhibitors for one show weekend can inject as much as $1,075,000 into a local economy.

 

But wait, the aforementioned numbers are for AKC events alone.

There are also events run by the United Kennel Club, the United States Dog Agility Association, the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association,  the North American Shed Hunting Dog Association, the North American Tournament Hunting Association, the North American Dog Agility Council, the United States Complete Shooting Dog Association, the National Bird Dog Challenge Association, the Amateur Field Trial Club Association, the National Shoot to Retrieve Association, the North American Hunting Retriever Association, and more!

The cancelation of dog events, then, isn’t felt by exhibitors alone. Local economies feel the pinch, as well. How helpful would it be if more Chambers of Commerce networks were to speak up for the competitive dog world when restrictive dog legislation is passed that compel exhibitors to avoid spending money in that state? Money speaks.

If you’re interested to see the economic impact that AKC dog events have in your particular state, check this out.